Abstract: A biased normally open check valve assembly for facilitating Multiair® engine start-up after extended periods of non-use. The check valve is biased in an open position and allows for the ventilation of air out of the system so that the engine can start. The check valve also comprises a metering groove in a valve seat. The metering groove is configured to allow a controlled flow of hydraulic fluid through the check valve when the check valve is in a closed position.

Abstract: A biased normally open check valve assembly for facilitating Multiair® engine start-up after extended periods of non-use. The check valve is biased in an open position and allows for the ventilation of air out of the system so that the engine can start. The check valve also comprises a metering groove in a valve seat. The metering groove is configured to allow a controlled flow of hydraulic fluid through the check valve when the check valve is in a closed position.

Abstract: A sheet metal rocker arm of the end pivot rocker arm type formed by bending into a U shape a precursor sheet metal piece and characterized by having a reinforcing cross member which is integrally formed by bending a tab that is cut in the central portion of the connecting part of a U-channel element to yield a reinforcing cross member to provide a unitary structure that introduces substantially enhanced stiffness to the rocker arm. The method of creating integrally formed reinforcing cross-members by appropriately cutting slits that provide reinforcing members can be applied to any stamped rocker arm that has a U-channel architecture, e.g., including, for example, rocker arms for pushrod type valvetrains as well as roller finger follower type rocker arms. Provision of the integrally formed cross member abutting the inner wall of the sides of the U-shaped rocker arm renders stiffness to the rocker arm that enables an engine to operate at a higher rpm and thereby improves horsepower output.

Abstract: An auxiliary check valve is provided in a hydraulic lash adjuster of the type wherein the plunger-to-body clearance is sealed. The auxiliary check valve is derived so that it remains open until the plunger has been moved to the limit of its travel by rotation of the engine camshaft during engine assembly. The auxiliary check valve permits fluid within the hydraulic lash adjuster high pressure chamber to be displaced to the reservoir chamber allowing the hydraulic lash adjuster to shorten from its free length to the proper installed length.

Abstract: A rocker shaft having at least two transversely formed interior compartments is provided each of which is devised for, and capable of, containing fluid at differing pressures. A multiplicity of generally radially directed holes present along the length of the rocker shaft communicate hydraulic fluid to the compartments via passageways present in the rocker arms, or valve deactivating rocker arm sections mounted thereon. Plugs installed within the rocker shaft at locations on either side of the holes provide compartmented regions within the shaft, each region of which has the capacity to contain hydraulic fluid at different pressures. The rocker shaft is capped at each end. Hydraulic fluid may be provided to the rocker shaft interior in a number of ways, such as through additional holes aligned with passageways provided in the cylinder head or through clearance openings between rocker shaft fasteners and rocker shaft mounting holes.

Abstract: A deactivating rocker arm mechanical adjustment system for internal combustion engines is provided wherein a lash adjustment screw which has eccentric cam and a feature by which the screw can be rotated using a tool. The adjustment screw is installed a valve actuation section of a split rocker arm wherein the cam end of the adjustment screw engages a feature of the cam follower section of the split rocker arm. When the lash adjustment screw is rotated, the design of the cam is such that the angular orientation of the valve actuation and cam follower sections is varied and in turn varies the distance or lash between the cam follower section latch pin and the receiving latch pin hole in the valve actuation section. The lash adjustment screw is rotated until a previously specified lash is obtained and then a jam nut is tightened to prevent rotation of the lash adjustment screw.

Abstract: A rocker arm and method for manufacture is provided whereby the rocker arm is manufactured in two halves generally symmetric to a central plane. The mating surface of one or both rocker arm halves incorporate grooves which upon assembly provide passageways which may follow any desired pathway for lubricant and or afford a reduction in mass and/or an increase in structural stiffness. The two halves are preferably joined together by metallurgical brazing or by other chemical or mechanical means.

Abstract: A novel device and method is provided for incorporating oil passageways in existing cylinder head assemblies of an overhead cam type engine valve train. The system provided utilizes a longitudinal preformed metal tube which contains multiple separate longitudinal passageways. In the course of the assembly of the tube in the cylinder head, a temperature differential is employed, e.g., the tube is cooled such as by cryogenic means to reduce its outer diameter and/or the cylinder head is heated and the tube is inserted into a mating opening in the cylinder head to provide a permanent interference fit.

Abstract: A sheet metal rocker arm of the welded and brazed tube and “boat type” rocker arm formed from sheet metal and characterized by having a reinforcing cross member which is integrally formed from a tab created by slitting the tube insert and which yields a unitary structure that introduces substantially greater stiffness to the rocker arm. The tube may be optionally rolled from sheet metal or by using seamless tubing. The method of creating integrally formed reinforcing cross-members by appropriate lancing slits in the sheet metal can be applied to any stamped rocker arm that has a U-channel architecture, e.g., including, for example, rocker arms for pushrod type valve trains as well as roller finger follower type rocker arms. Provision of the integrally formed cross member renders stiffness to the rocker arm that enables an engine to operate at a higher rpm and thereby to produce more horsepower.

Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjuster (11) disposed within a bore (14) defined by an internal combustion engine (16), the hydraulic lash adjuster (11) comprising a ball plunger (12) including a body portion (13), whereby the body portion (13) is reciprocable in the bore (14) as said ball plunger (12) reciprocates between a relatively retracted position and a relatively extended position. The hydraulic lash adjuster (11) further comprising a leakdown plunger assembly (17) disposed within the body portion (13) and disposed downward in response to downward movement of the ball plunger (12) and said body portion (13). The leakdown plunger assembly (17) has a bottom portion (34) disposed toward a bottom (20) of the bore (14), to define a high pressure chamber (28). In the lash adjuster (11) of the invention, the ball plunger (12) and the body portion (13) comprise a single, integral, formed member.

Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjuster (130) for an internal combustion engine which includes a body (132) and a plunger (134) of thin-walled construction in which features such as hydraulic fluid collector volumes between the plunger and the body and a check valve seat (174) in the plunger are formed by selectively displaced regions (135,137) of the walls of the body (132). Because of the thin-walled construction of the body (132) and plunger (134), a resilient cap member (161) is in engagement with the upper open end of the body (132) and includes a lip portion in sealing engagement with the outside diameter of the plunger (134), the cap member (161) being rigid enough to help guide the plunger as it reciprocates within the body.

Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjuster having a body (11) defining a blind bore (13) and a fluid port (35) in communication with a source of fluid pressure. Upper and lower plunger elements (17,19) are disposed within the body and define a low pressure fluid chamber (21). The upper end portion (53) of the lower plunger element (19) defines a series of openings (55) providing fluid communication from the bore (13) into the chamber (21). The bore (13) and the upper plunger element (17) define a radial clearance sufficient that the clearance and the openings (55) comprise substantially the only fluid path from the fluid port (35) to the chamber (21). The invention reduces the machining of the body (11) and the upper plunger (17) which are normally required, thus substantially reducing the cost of the lash adjuster.

Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjuster of the sealed leakdown type in which the plunger assembly (15) is received within a blind bore (13) defined by a body (11). The plunger assembly (15) includes upper (17) and lower (19) plunger elements, to define a low pressure chamber (21) and a high pressure chamber (23). In one embodiment, a dynamic seal member (27) is disposed between the lower plunger element (19) and the bore (13), such that leakdown flow must go from the high pressure chamber (23), past a check ball (53), to the low pressure chamber (21). In order to achieve a more consistent operation of the lash adjuster, the check ball (53) is normally biased toward an open position (FIG. 1) by a compression spring (69), but as flow from the chamber (23) to the chamber (21) increases, the spring force is overcome, and the check ball (53) seats in the desired manner.

Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjuster which includes a seal element acting between the body and the plunger. The check valve of the lash adjuster is normally open, and effective leakdown to compensate for negative lash is provided by controlling the distance traveled by the check valve in moving from its open to its closed position.

Abstract: A rotor attachment assembly for securing a rotor, such as a compressor impeller, to a rotor shaft. The assembly comprises a locking nut, a rotor having a flush mounting surface for the flush mounting of the locking nut, and a nut-receiving rotor shaft. The shaft comprises a smooth body and a threaded end which is of less diameter than the shaft body. The nut includes an unthreaded bore portion and a threaded portion. When the rotor is in place on the shaft, part of the smooth body extends beyond the nut flush mounting surface of the rotor. The bore portion of the nut is deeper than the length of the part of the smooth body extending beyond the rotor. Accordingly, when the nut is tightened onto the shaft to press against the rotor, a gap is left between the body of the shaft and the threaded portion of the nut. Coaxiality of the shaft and the rotor is assured by this construction which provides against bending of the shaft.

Abstract: An improved cooling system for a rotary engine rotor, having coolant channels provided between the rotor body and the rotor bearing race. The coolant channels interconnect coolant passages provided at each of the triangularly-shaped rotor's apices. Provided in each of the coolant passages are coolant ribs which not only facilitate heat transfer between the coolant and the rotor, but, by preferential positioning, further aid in directing the coolant into and out of the coolant channels.

Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjuster (42) for the valve gear (14) of an internal combustion engine (12) operates from oil received under pressure from a gallery (58) provided in the engine lubricant supply system to compensate for lash in the valve train. The body (60) of the lash adjuster has a moveable plunger assembly (66) provided therein which, prior to installation in the valve gear, is retained in assembly by a retainer (120) formed of an elastic material such as nylon 6/6 including a rim portion (126) embracingly engaging the outer peripheral surface (144) of the body with equally distributed, radially directed clamping forces. The retainer also includes an end wall (122) defining a through bore (124) concentric with a shank portion (80) in the plunger assesmbly. Upon assembly, the retainer is momentarily elastically deformed to enable a bulbous end portion (74) of the plunger assembly to pass therethrough.

Abstract: A piston pin comprising a tubular body enclosed by end caps, the end caps being secured to the tubular body by an extrusion extending into a recess in the inner periphery of the tubular body, and said extrusion being formed when said end cap is hammered into the tubular body so that an end of the end cap abuts against an annular wall in the tubular body adjacent the recess to force the end cap material into the recess. Preferably, the end cap includes an axial bore, and a transverse bore for communicating between the axial bore and the periphery of the cap, and the transverse bore is positioned so that it communicates with an area adjacent a tapered end portion of the tubular body. In a preferred method of forming piston pins according to the present invention, the tubular body is heated before the plug is hammered into position within the end of the tubular body. Once the end cap has been installed in the tubular body, the end cap and the axial end of the tubular body can be finish machined as desired.